Sick Sad Lit

In this episode of Sick Sad Lit, I sit down with Torrey Peters, acclaimed author of Detransition, Baby and Stag Dance, for a deeply honest conversation about the realities of the modern writing life.Torrey opens up about the emotional labour of touring, the pressures of book marketing, and how societal change shapes creative expression. Together, we discuss desire, identity, and transformation—recurring themes in Torrey’s work—and explore what it means to create art that resists categorisation while inviting empathy and confrontation in equal measure.From the burnout of promotion to the beauty of connection, Torrey reflects on the messy, necessary work of making meaning in a world that often wants neat narratives. It’s a conversation about honesty, risk, and the courage to keep writing, even when everything feels like it’s falling apart.Join the ConversationIf this episode resonated, share it with someone who might need it, and leave us a review to help more listeners find the show. 🖤Join the conversation on our Sick Sad Friends Discord for monthly book club meetups, community chats and more.Visit the Sick Sad Lit website for essays, author outtakes and more.Follow Sick Sad Lit on Instagram.Photo Credit: Hunter Abrams Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Sick Sad Lit, I sit down with one of the most provocative and fearless voices in contemporary fiction: Eliza Clark. Author of Boy Parts, Penance, and She’s Always Hungry, Clark writes with scalpel-like precision about modern alienation. Nobody captures the digital grotesque quite like her.We talk about the ethics of obsession, the cultural hunger for true crime, and how fiction can humanise—or implicate—those we call monstrous. Eliza shares her thoughts on revenge narratives, power fantasies, and the moral tension at the heart of storytelling. We also discuss how fan fiction and digital spaces shaped her creative evolution, the blurred line between empathy and horror, and what it means to write characters who do unspeakable things.If you love unhinged narrators, moral ambiguity, literary horror, or stories that leave you slightly unnerved, then this episode is for you. 🖤LET'S CONNECT:Join the conversation on our Sick Sad Friends Discord.Visit the Sick Sad Lit website for essays, author outtakes and more.Follow Sick Sad Lit on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Sick Sad Lit, I sit down with acclaimed South Korean author Bora Chung: the brilliant mind behind Cursed Bunny and her haunting new collection, Midnight Timetable. Known for blending horror, humour, and political satire, Bora’s stories blur the line between the grotesque and the profound, using the supernatural to explore the most human of emotions.We talk about her journey from university lecturer to internationally celebrated writer, how Cursed Bunny changed her life after being shortlisted for the International Booker Prize, and why she believes horror can be an act of empathy - a way of writing ghost stories for a broken world.Bora shares the inspirations behind Midnight Timetable, from Polish and Russian literature to Korean folklore, and reflects on the intersections of revenge, grief, and survival in her fiction. We discuss the challenges of translation, the politics of horror, and the strange comfort of stories that look directly at fear, and still find hope inside it.If you love literary horror, speculative fiction, or beautifully strange stories that linger long after you’ve finished reading, this episode is the perfect listen for spooky season. 👻Join the conversation on our Sick Sad Friends Discord.Visit the Sick Sad Lit website for essays, author outtakes and more.Follow Sick Sad Lit on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Sick Sad Lit, I sit down with bestselling author Mona Awad to talk about her highly anticipated new novel, We Love You, Bunny (out today!). A dazzling return to the world of her cult classic Bunny, it blends fairy-tale horror, satire, and dark academia into a story about creation, obsession, and the power of storytelling.Mona and I explore the evolution of her writing - from sharp realism to feverish surrealism - and the recurring themes that define her work: transformation, body image, identity, and the complexities of the female experience. We also dig into the psychological depth of her characters, the role of humour and satire in her prose, and how fairy tales continue to shape her literary imagination.Mona reflects on her creative process, the influence of her academic background, and the way music fuels her writing routine. Mona also shares insights into the power of love, friendship, and marginalised voices in literature, offering a rare glimpse into her evolving journey as a writer.If you’re drawn to fiction that’s grotesque and beautiful, hilarious and haunting, this conversation is for you.Visit Mona's website for links to order your copy of We Love You Bunny wherever you are in the world.Follow Mona on Instagram.Join the conversation on our Sick Sad Friends Discord.Visit the Sick Sad Lit website for essays, author outtakes and more.Follow Sick Sad Lit on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Sick Sad Lit, I sit down with writer and violinist Ling Ling Huang, author of the acclaimed debut novel Natural Beauty and the recently released Immaculate Conception. Together, we explore the ways fiction - and creative expression more broadly - helps navigate identity, ambition, and the emotional aftermath of betrayal and transformation.Ling Ling shares how her background in music informs her literary voice, and how both Natural Beauty and Immaculate Conception confront the pressures of perfection and commodification, from the insidious demands of the beauty industry to the often invisible toll of technology on human connection.The conversation spans everything from the pain of friendship loss, the complexity of female jealousy, and the shifting landscape of motherhood and creativity, to how speculative fiction allows us to reimagine the limits of identity, body, and self-worth.Follow Ling Ling Huang on Instagram.Join the conversation with Sick Sad Lit on Substack and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Sick Sad Lit, author Anna Dorn joins me to discuss her novel Perfume and Pain, a sharp and provocative exploration of identity, desire, and self-destruction. Anna opens up about her writing process, and her transition from a legal career to full-time novelist.We dive into the literary value of unlikeable women in fiction, the cultural tension around cancel culture, and how queer literature allows space for complex, messy, fully human protagonists. Anna also shares her thoughts on the evolving business of writing — from the emotional toll of professional publishing to the power of author merch and literary events in building a community around books.The conversation touches on perfume as a narrative device, how creative inspiration comes from unexpected places (including music and social media), and why embracing vulnerability in storytelling is more radical than ever.Join the conversation with Sick Sad Lit on Substack and Instagram.Follow Anna on Instagram.Takeaways:Anna Dorn transitioned from law to writing, driven by her passion for storytelling.Her background in law influences her writing style and character development.Perfume plays a significant role in her latest novel, symbolizing desire and identity.The importance of author merchandise in connecting with readers.Literary events are crucial for networking and community building among writers.Unlikable characters often reflect societal frustrations and personal struggles.Writing is a deeply personal process, often influenced by lived experiences.Creative inspiration comes from various sources, including music and social media.The evolution of writing as a profession can lead to insecurity and pressure.Exploring diverse settings and characters in fiction can enrich storytelling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Sick Sad Lit, host Jen Eastwood sits down with acclaimed author Sarah Rose Etter to unpack the emotional and political weight of writing in a collapsing world. They explore how magical realism and dark fiction serve as tools for survival and resistance under late-stage capitalism, and how attention spans, burnout, and economic precarity shape the creative process.Through a raw and reflective conversation, Etter shares insights on the emotional labor of storytelling, the role of surrealism in literature, and what it means to write authentically amidst societal decay. Whether you're a writer navigating capitalism, a reader drawn to unflinching fiction, or a fan of Sarah Rose Etter’s work, this episode offers a powerful look at how literature endures—and resists—through crisis.Follow Sarah on Instagram.Join the conversation with Sick Sad Lit on Substack and Instagram.TakeawaysThe emotional toll of writing is significant in a capitalist society.Attention spans are affected by technology and media consumption.Writing style can reflect the author's own attention span and experiences.Surrealism in literature can provide a lens for discussing political and social issues.The struggle for financial security is a common theme among writers.Empathy in storytelling is crucial for connecting with readers.The impact of urban poverty is a pressing issue in contemporary literature.The unpredictability of timing in literature can affect its relevance.Dark fiction serves as a form of resistance and reflection of societal issues.The process of writing often involves navigating personal and professional identities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chuck Tingle joins Sick Sad Lit to explore queer horror, satirical romance, and the role of absurdity in the horror genre. We talk about identity, publishing, and how positivity and love become acts of protest in art — and in life.Preorder Lucky Day.Follow Chuck on Instagram.Join the conversation with Sick Sad Lit on Substack and Instagram.In this engaging conversation, Chuck Tingle, a renowned author in queer horror and satirical romance, discusses his unique approach to storytelling, the cathartic power of horror, and the importance of positivity in challenging times. He shares insights into his artistic process, the transition from writing Tinglers to horror novels, and the role of identity in his work. Tingle emphasizes the significance of absurdity in horror, the political themes present in contemporary literature, and the impact of pre-ordering books on authors' success. The discussion culminates in an exciting preview of his upcoming novel, 'Lucky Day,' which explores themes of bisexuality and existence.TakeawaysChuck Tingle is a unique voice in queer horror and satirical romance.Positivity is a natural state for Chuck, helping him navigate challenges.Horror can serve as a cathartic experience, reflecting life's complexities.Chuck's transition from Tinglers to horror novels showcases his artistic evolution.Absurdity in horror can amplify the fear factor, making it more relatable.Art can be a powerful form of protest and expression.The importance of identity and representation in storytelling is crucial.Chuck's anonymity allows for deeper connections with his audience.The horror genre is thriving with diverse voices and perspectives.Pre-ordering books is vital for supporting authors and their work.Chapters00:00 The Power of Positivity in Turbulent Times 03:59 Exploring the Intersection of Love and Horror 09:18 The Artistic Journey: From Tinglers to Horror Novels 14:26 The Freedom of Anonymity: Chuck Tingle's Artistic Expression 24:21 The Genesis of Chuck Tingle: Art, Identity, and Healing 31:21 Exploring Horror: Grueling vs. Cathartic 38:21 The Art of Creating Unique Monsters 43:11 The Evolution of Horror in Contemporary Society 49:52 The Importance of Message in Art 58:47 Navigating Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing 01:04:51 Anticipating 'Lucky Day': A New Queer Horror Novel 01:11:42 Ge Filter Fish - Neon Rapture.mp3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.